The Basic Court in Pristina has handed a guilty verdict against Arsim Syla in the case of the murder of V.B at “Interex” in Podujevë, sentencing him to 22 years in prison, reports KosovaPress.
The accused, Arsim Syla, was not present in the courtroom at the time the verdict was announced.
Judge Fatime Dërmaku found Arsim Syla guilty of the criminal offense of “Aggravated Murder” and sentenced him to 22 years in prison.
She emphasized that the parties have the right to appeal within 30 days, while the victim’s spouse, Lirie Sylejmani, may pursue a civil claim in accordance with the proper civil-legal procedure.
“The accused, Arsim Syla, in accordance with Article 364 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, is found guilty of the criminal offense of co-perpetrated ‘aggravated murder’ under Article 173, paragraph 1, points 1.5 and 1.8, in connection with Article 31 of the Criminal Code. Therefore, the court sentences him to 22 years in prison. The time Arsim Syla has spent in pre-trial detention since September 11, 2023, is credited toward this sentence. The pre-trial detention of the accused continues until the verdict becomes final. The victim, Lirie Sylejmani, is guided to pursue her civil claim according to proper legal procedure. The accused, Arsim Syla, is ordered to pay procedural expenses of 200 euros for the court fee and 50 euros to the Victims of Crime Fund,” the judge said.
The accused, Syla, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of V.B at Interex in Podujevë.
The Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Pristina filed the indictment against Syla on March 18, 2024, claiming that, motivated by revenge over a previous conflict in 2022 with the late V.B and Sh.R, the defendant had ordered his minor son, L.S., to deprive V.B of his life.
On September 11, 2023, the defendant Syla, along with his minor son L.S., went to the café in the Interex market in Podujevë. Around 12:19, they noticed the late V.B entering the market with his wife, the victim L.S., and their 4-year-old child. V.B was then shot and killed, and his wife was also injured in the attack.
